Beautiful Lake Junaluska is Open to the Public

Posted by admin in Accommodations, Dining on January 5, 2012

I met the CEO and marketing director at Lake Junaluska yesterday and found something interesting: a large number of locals don’t know that the lodging and dining facilities are open to the public. I also learned there are big changes in store for this beautiful place…

The strategic plan recently adopted by the board of directors includes a) renovations to the lodging, meeting and food service facilities that will bring the Terrace Hotel up to a standard equivalent to a Hampton Inn, b) provide a “grand hotel” experience for guests at the Lambuth Inn, and c) fully develop outdoor facilities for recreation, refreshment and renewal.

While Lake Junaluska facilities are open to the public, it will always have the United Methodist Church as one of its primary customers, and its mission will continue to be a place of Christian hospitality where lives are transformed through renewal of soul, mind and body…

When you’re ready for a round of golf in an amazing setting, book your tee time here. Or for hotel reservations click here.

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Bed and Breakfast on Tiffany Hill, Mills River, NC

Posted by admin in Accommodations on December 19, 2011

I was invited by the innkeeper to visit the Bed and Breakfast on Tiffany Hill in Mills River, NC, about halfway between Brevard and Hendersonville. When I arrived I couldn’t help but notice the “Norman Rockwell view” from the front porch. It’s beautiful even in winter…

This is the first inn I’ve visited that was actually designed and built to serve as a B&B, and it’s very cozy and romantic inside. Here’s a picture of the parlor at Christmas…

The inn is absolutely beautiful inside (for pictures of the guest rooms click here), but it’s the outside views that I most enjoyed. Here’s what the B&B on Tiffany Hill looks like when you drive up in winter time…

From the driveway…

I entered at the side entrance…

At Christmas two tin soldiers stand guard by the front doors both day and night…

There’s also a large Christmas tree in the foyer at the main entrance…

The views from all sides of this B&B are stunning. Here’s one side…

And here’s the back view with the walking path entering the woods…

My host invited us back for a “day-cation” at the inn. We’re really looking forward to it, of course. As I was leaving I noticed a plaque on the wall outside…

Amen!

If you’re looking for a clean, cozy, romantic place to stay, call the innkeeper at the Bed and Breakfast on Tiffany Hill: 828-290-6080. The address is 400 Ray Hill Road,  Mills River, NC 28759. For an interactive Google map to the B&B on Tiffany Hill click here.

Owners Have Transformed the Lake Lure Inn

Posted by admin in Accommodations on December 9, 2011

I went by the Lake Lure Inn yesterday to meet the owner, George Wittmer. He obviously knew the value of the inn when he purchased it in 2005. It was a great combination – a beautiful setting and a wonderfully designed building. Here’s what it looked like as I approached…

Wittmer has some great stories to tell about the remaking of the grand inn that first opened in 1927. What he’s done with the place is amazing. Here’s the lobby, decorated for Christmas and filled with his collection of antiques…

And this is the beautiful Veranda restaurant where I hope to be celebrating someone special’s birthday later this month…

Despite the current recession we’ve been going through, Wittmer says his Lake Lure Inn has increased sales every year since he purchased it. I didn’t ask him about the percentage return on his investment. I’m just glad he made it…

Inns and Hotels Will Display New Travel Book

Posted by admin in Accommodations on November 21, 2011

Owners of inns and hotels in the area will display our new hard-back, coffee-table-style book, Blue Ridge Travel Guide, in their guest rooms. I’ve been talking with them for several weeks now and over 95 have agreed to do it.

Looks like we’re off to the races!

New Launch: Blue Ridge Travel Guide Book

Posted by admin in Accommodations, Photography on November 18, 2011

We’ve been working on a new coffee-table-style book, Blue Ridge Travel Guide, to help visitors and residents find the info they need — what to do, where to eat, and what to see. Here’s a rough mock-up of the cover…

It will be an 8.5″x11″ hard-bound book, with lots of full-color photographs inside, printed on thick, glossy paper. The retail price will be $14.95 but I’m giving free copies to local bed & breakfasts, lodges, inns, and resorts to put in their guest rooms and lobbies. Dozens of inns have already taken advantage of the offer, so it looks like this will be a hit. Inns where you’ll find the book will be listed in our Pages under Bed & Breakfasts, Cabins, Hotels, and Inns/Lodges.

My friends, Tom and Hazel Jones, have been producing a similar annual book for almost a decade entitled Wilmington Today. I’ve admired their work and started talking with them last year about our new Blue Ridge Travel Guide. They’ve been very helpful.

To give local inn owners an idea of the printing quality of our new Blue Ridge Travel Guide, I’ve shown them copies of Wilmington Today. It’s been fun to watch their reaction. Without exception they’ve been surprisingly positive.

There’s a lot to do before it comes off the press. Hopefully my blog won’t slip too much…

Enjoyed the Tally Ho Inn, Townsend, TN

Posted by admin in Accommodations on October 3, 2011

During my two-day motorcycle ride with my oldest son we stayed overnight at the Tally Ho Inn in Townsend, Tennessee, just outside of the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains and Cades Cove. We had a nice view from our balcony…

Here’s a picture of the entrance to the Tally Ho Inn…

The Tally Ho Inn first opened in the early 1950s and it’s been family owned and managed ever since. They do a nice job of keeping it exceptionally clean and tidy. Two things I’m concerned about when I stay at older inns are the tub drainage during showers and the thickness of the towels — or lack of it. I’m happy to say that Tally Ho Inn’s management gets high marks on these, too.

Here’s a picture of our balcony at the Tally Ho Inn…

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